Real Madrid v Barcelona: what lies behind El Clasico fix claim?
Police investigate allegations that a linesman was told to favour Real Madrid as football and politics mix in Spain
Fears of another European match fixing scandal are growing after claims by a linesman in Spain that he was asked to favour Real Madrid in next month's El Clasico derby with Barcelona, but the allegations could also be related to political tensions in Spain as the Catalan independence movement gathers pace.
The unnamed official told police that he had been approached by another official who said the Spanish refereeing committee was putting pressure on them to favour the Madrid side.
It has also been claimed that a member of the referees' technical committee rang the linesman to warn him that it would be "intelligent" for his career if he followed the instructions.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Jose Angel Jimenez Munoz de Morales has been named as the official who made the phonecall to the linesman but he has denied the allegations against him. "I have no idea where they come from. It is like something out of a Kafka novel," he said.
"Anti-corruption officials are understood to be taking the claims seriously," reports the Daily Mail. And The Guardian says that Spanish football now "faces a potentially huge match-fixing scandal".
The story, published in Catalan newspaper L'Esportiu, has had a "huge impact" in Spain adds Sid Lowe of the Guardian. The linesman claims he was contacted in September and told that he should influence the game in Madrid's favour as it was easier for a linesman to get away with big calls as they were under less scrutiny than the referee.
The claims add yet another layer of intrigue to the historic rivalry between Real Madrid, once the club of General Franco, and Barcelona, closely associated with the Catalan nationalist movement, says Spanish football expert Gabrielle Marcotti in The Times.
He notes Barcelona "have felt persecuted recently by elements farther up the food chain" after high profile investigations into Lionel Messi's tax affairs and the transfer of Neymar to the Camp Nou. "The question doing the rounds in Catalonia yesterday was whether the authorities would investigate these latest claims with the same zeal with which they went after the Barcelona stars.
"With a referendum for Catalan independence on the horizon, the last thing Spanish football needs is more fuel added to the fire. Rather, what is needed is swift, transparent justice and — if credible evidence is produced — decisive action."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: El Clasico becomes El Politico
In Depth It’s not just a game between the top two teams in La Liga
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid El Clasico could be switched to the Bernabeu due to Catalonia protests
Speed Read Ten things from the world of sport on Wednesday 16 October
By The Week Staff Published
-
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: cup Clasico team news, starting XIs, TV and live stream
The Week Recommends Will Barca star Lionel Messi be fit for the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg?
By The Week Staff Published
-
El Clasico: A new era begins with Cristiano Ronaldo gone and Lionel Messi injured
The Week Recommends Clash will be the first since 2007 not to feature the two giants, and both teams are struggling
By The Week Staff Published
-
Ronaldo faces lengthy ban for pushing referee after red card
Speed Read Real Madrid star comes off bench against Barcelona, scores a brilliant goal and is sent off
By The Week Staff Published
-
500 up for Lionel Messi: Real Madrid fans curse Barcelona star
In Depth Argentine superstar scores twice at the Bernabeu to get one over on Ronaldo and blow the Spanish title race open
By The Week Staff Published
-
El Clasico: Barcelona say farewell to Cruyff... and Cristiano Ronaldo
The Week Recommends As Barca salute the inventor of total football, can Real Madrid get one last hurrah from their great individualist?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Karim Benzema accused of Paris attack insult at El Clasico
In Depth The French forward was seen spitting after La Marseillaise, prompting calls for him to be banned from playing for France
By The Week Staff Published